First Blues: Rags, Ballads and Harmonium Songs

Legendary Beat poet Allen Ginsberg explores the fusion of poetry and music in this rare 1970s recording. Called a "venerated bard of resistance" Ginsberg sought "how the raw mind actually works" through poetry. This collection of fun ditties spouts against capitalism, among other things, and is an amusing and enjoyable listen. Ginsberg accompanies himself with a small hand-pumped harmonium from India, occasionally adding his own guttural rhythms reminiscent of Dadaist sound-poetry (see for example "Put Down Your Cigarette Rag" and "Prayer Blues"), while other songs, such as "Bus Ride Ballad Road to Suva", echo folk ballads from yesteryear. Ginsberg prefaces each song himself. Liner notes include an introduction from Ginsberg.

Track Listing

101	4 A.M. Blues / New York Blues / New York Youth Call Annunciation	Allen Ginsberg	10:02
102	Come Back Christmas / MacDougal Street Blues	Allen Ginsberg	06:52
103	CIA Dope Calypso	Allen Ginsberg	04:59
104	Put Down Your Cigarette Rag	Allen Ginsberg	03:42
201	Slack Key Guitar / Siratoka Beach Croon	Allen Ginsberg	07:03
202	Bus Ride Ballad Road to Suva	Allen Ginsberg	04:16
203	Prayer Blues	Allen Ginsberg	10:25
204	Dope Fiend Blues	Allen Ginsberg	04:30